Description
A simple yet decadent recipe for Garlic Butter Chicken Bites with Creamy Parmesan Pasta. Juicy chicken bites seared in a garlic butter sauce, paired with luscious parmesan pasta for a quick, family-friendly meal.
Ingredients
- Chicken: 1 lb chicken breast or thigh meat, cut into bite-sized pieces
- Garlic: 3 cloves, minced
- Unsalted Butter: 3 tbsp
- Olive Oil: 2 tbsp
- Heavy Cream: 1 cup
- Parmesan Cheese: ¾ cup, freshly grated
- Chicken Broth: ½ cup
- Fresh Parsley: 2 tbsp, chopped
- Red Pepper Flakes: ¼ tsp (optional)
- Paprika: 1 tsp
- Salt: to taste
- Black Pepper: to taste
- Pasta: 12 oz of your choice (e.g., penne, fettuccine, or spaghetti)
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Season the chicken with paprika, salt, and pepper. Toss to coat evenly.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook for 4–5 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
- Make the Garlic Butter Sauce: In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium. Melt butter, then add minced garlic. Cook for about 1 minute until fragrant.
- Prepare the Creamy Parmesan Sauce: Stir in heavy cream and chicken broth, deglazing the skillet. Bring to a gentle simmer, then whisk in parmesan cheese until smooth.
- Cook the Pasta: While preparing the sauce, cook pasta in salted water according to package instructions. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water before draining.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add cooked pasta to the skillet, tossing to coat in the creamy sauce. Use reserved pasta water to adjust consistency if needed.
- Finish the Dish: Return chicken to the skillet, stir gently to combine, and garnish with parsley and red pepper flakes, if desired.
- Serve: Plate the creamy parmesan pasta topped with garlic butter chicken bites.
Notes
- Storage: Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: Warm gently in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of chicken broth or milk to restore the sauce’s creaminess.
- Customization: Substitute chicken with mushrooms or tofu for a vegetarian option, or use gluten-free pasta for dietary needs.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stove-top
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Garlic Butter Chicken Creamy Parmesan Pasta One-Pan Chicken Dinner Family-Friendly Pasta Recipe Quick Chicken Pasta